Being fat is just easier..

I started this change two years and almost 140 lbs ago. At the beginning, I slipped a lot. I'd lose ten pounds, then celebrate with Chinese buffet and fall back into my old habits. I didn't understand why it felt so hard when a lot of the people I knew did it so effortlessly. I didn't understand why I always felt hungry, I didn't understand why I broke a sweat after walking five minutes, I didn't understand why it felt so bad if it was supposed to be good for me. I wanted to give up. I gave up multiple times. I quit and un-quit my way down to 147 lbs, my lowest weight since I was, like, twelve. Right before I joined MFP, I quit again. I fell back into my old habits and gained 15 lbs before I decided I had to regain control to avoid undoing everything I'd worked for.

Some days, I still want to quit. Some days I'm tired and sore and I want to buy a dozen croissants and eat them all in one day. But then I look in the mirror and I think of how far I've come and how much better I feel about myself and how proud I am of my progress and how close I am to looking how I've always pictured myself in my mind, and quitting suddenly doesn't seem easier. It feels like throwing away a puzzle I spent hours putting together just because I'm having a hard time fitting in the last few pieces. I want that feeling of completion and triumph. I want to know I ignored the voices in my head that have been telling me 'you can't do it, you're not getting anywhere, this is a waste of time, let's just order pizza and call it a night'. I want to win. And I will.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's okay to have days where you want to give up. It's even okay to give up, if that's really what you want for yourself. But you have strength, willpower, and potential inside of you and you have a vision in your head of what you want out of life, and you CAN make it happen if it's really what you want. That doesn't just apply to weight loss - that applies to anything you want out of your life. You CAN do it. And if you choose to, it will feel so good when you complete it.

You can add me if you want. I know I'm not where you are right now, but I have been there and I know how it feels to want to give up, and what it takes to get through those moments.

Its pretty simple for me,

I eat better > I feel healthy > I feel energised > I workout > I feel fit > I eat good choices for energy.

The cycle just keeps going

I think it's hard if you set yourself unrealistic goals.

If you set yourself small, achievable goals ("eat a healthy breakfast every day this week", "exercise for 15 mins every day this week", "no soda for three days") then it's much easier.

If you set out to eat 1200 cals a day, exercise for 2 hours every day - hell yeah, it's going to be hard!
Then you'll probably give up and feel bad. Again.

Be realistic, accept that you aren't going to wake up next week 10 pounds lighter but that if you eat well (not too little, not too much) and you do some regular exercise (which doesn't even have to be every day) then you might well be 10 pounds (or a whole lot more!) lighter by Christmas.

actually, i am the COMPLETE opposite of this. if all i focus on is today, then i get bogged down in the suckitude of day-to-day life. BUT, when i sign up for stuff that sounds TOTALLY out of the realm of possibility, then i move my *kitten* and make it happen. i signed up for a warrior dash b/c it looked like fun, and it looked scary. and i DID it. and then after, i've been floundering, so i signed up for a zombie run and a 5k walk. the bigger the hill, the harder i climb it.

Why do I lose my motivation so quickly?!?? I have my days where I get so pumped up to exercise and eat healthy but then a few days later or even weeks I just completely lose it. Idk if anyone can help ('cause I'm sure this is more of a mental thing) but, why can't I stay motivated? And what keeps you motivated??

all i really wanted to say is i crept your pictures and OMG you are stunning!! seriously beautiful!!

now i guess i'll follow it up since im here.
i used to be 165 lbs which may not sounds like much but i was teased, insecure, and unhappy. me and my ex would sit around and eat sskor bites and chips and watch movies. YES it was easier. and it was fun WHILE we were eating. i now weigh 132 and am still not where i want to be, but i am MUCH happier. i have a different bf now, and we workout together 4x week and are healthy. my advice would be to google healthy recipes of foods you like (i have one for pizza and spaghetti if you go to the eat more to weight less group the recipe is under the recipe thread, or just add me/message me) and also allow yourself a cheat MEAL once a week. so when cravings hit just tell yourself "i can have that piece of cake on SUNDAY"...

but yeah, its HARD to be healthy but its WORTH IT!! we all have our off days.

it takes 21 days to create a habit. stick with it for 21 days.

Name one reason why losing weight is bad for you.

List as many reasons as you can about WHY losing weight is bad for you. Can you think of any?

Now, write down all the reasons you can think about WHY losing weight is GOOD for you, and make a nice long, positive list for reinforcement!!!

Keep this list somewhere VISIBLE...refer to it when you are feeling like you just CAN'T do this.

YOU CAN!!!

a few things that are hard if you are fat!

1. Walking hand and hand or down the church aisle on your wedding day with the love of your life.
2. Being pregnant with that child that will love you so unconditionally that your heart melts when you think about it.
3. Lifting up your child when they want their mommy, as they put their arms arounfd your neck and tell you that they love you, or that they are happy!!
4. Running and playing with your child as they grow, watching them learn values and watching their dreams come true.
then there are grandchildren... and the joy of being alive to watch your children's children!!!!

What I am saying here is : Think about tomorrow and tomorrow's tomorrow...
You are young and your body has a remarkable ability to heal itself now...
Your weight will affect your life, your mood etc.
Fat is not something that happened all at once, and it will not go away that way either.

Just keep chipping away at it.. a little bit at a time.....
if you stick with it, you will see results, and if you see results, then you will stick with it...
thus emerges a pattern of a healthier lifestyle..................

What is hard is trying to do this when you are older!!!!!!! So just do it now!!!

Just get back up each time. Learning to redirect the negative self-talk is critical. Those little voices saying "I'm too tired", "It's just one ....", "I'll do it tomorrow" have to be changed to "I can do something even if it's just for a few minutes", "All it takes is one and it takes more than that to work it off", "No better time than today and I can do even more tomorrow".

You're very correct that the mental is the biggest obstacle. Whenever I don't want to workout, I just go ahead and start changing into my workout clothes anyway. Once I get started, I can keep going. Basically, move your body and your mind will follow.

See this fitness journey as something that you will not allow to defeat you.

Totally agree with this! I am 39 years old and I talked to myself all the time " I will try to lose weight tomorrow!" so now I finally have to do it because of me unhealthy and hubby worried me sick about my heavy weight. I know I can do it, and I know you can do it too. You have to be more positive thinking, taking it from inside, you got to really really want to do this, so make it works!!! You are the only one to make yourself happy, happy inside, beautiful outside!

I can't think of anything about being fat that was easier.

BUMP

Not being able to find cute clothes that fit is hard. Blowing money on fast food is hard. Excersing & eating healthy is hard. You choose your hard

Why do I lose my motivation so quickly?!?? I have my days where I get so pumped up to exercise and eat healthy but then a few days later or even weeks I just completely lose it. Idk if anyone can help ('cause I'm sure this is more of a mental thing) but, why can't I stay motivated? And what keeps you motivated??

I've been watching Extreme Makeover weight loss with Chris Powell. The weight loss aspect fascinates me but what's more intriguing is the mindset of the individuals and the way Powell makes them realize that, often times, it's really all in their head. How they perceive themselves, how they chose to live out past trauma, how they shut down mindfulness and the complete disconnect between what goes in their mouth and how it affects their body is astounding.

Being fat is easier when you are completely tuned out from yourself and your environment. It's non-living.

Small goals.
I'm going at this 10lbs at a time.
Replacing one bad habit with a good habit per week.

Not sure about 'committed' comment to that degree earlier. However, being more realistic its accepting that you have to try and try hard - accept that every now and then you will have an off day. The greatest thing is learning not to let that one day spoil all the good work of the days previous.

Good to see alot of great positive comments on here from people.

I think its much harder being 'thinner' also - on a personal point being bigger made me more a robust personality and I was actually happier, being lighter has exposed other traits of me since my protection is gone (some good and bad) that make it less enjoyable overall - strange eh?. Its just a never ending relentless exercise - but its one you have to do.